Deauville Flyer can provide Tim Easterby with a Derby success at Newcastle tomorrow.
The able stayer runs in the £150,000 John Smith’s Northumberland Plate, better known as the ‘Pitmens’ Derby’, and Norton jockey Tom Eaves takes the mount.
A beaten favourite in this race last year when he finished fifth to Overturn, Deauville Flyer did not get the run of the race on that occasion and is certainly worth another chance.
He has run three good races this season, all in defeat, and looks to figure on a fair handicap mark.
A York winner in the past, Deauville Flyer is well suited to soft ground and, with further rain forecast, that proven ability to act in the mud will stand him in excellent stead in this prestigious and valuable two miles affair.
Regal Parade can get North Yorkshire stables off to a flying start in the opening Chipchase Stakes, a Group 3 affair, sponsored by Totesport.
Twice a Group 1 winner, Regal Parade, trained by David Nicholls has finished runner-up in his last two starts, behind Delegator in last month’s Duke of York Stakes on Knavesmire and most recently in a Group 3 contest at Haydock.
Regal Parade faces some tough opposition, not least from David Barron’s Waffle, who just failed to last in Saturday’s Wokingham Handicap, but with the ground expected to be firmly in his favour, his class should prevail.
Ruth Carr has her horses in excellent form and Klynch deserves support, in the totescoop6 Handicap.
Having gone through a long, lean spell, the five-year-old has struck form with a vengeance this season and has won four of his last five races. He was massively impressive at Ayr last Saturday and although he has more to do tomorrow, he can not be dismissed lightly.
Webbow, trained at Norton by Mark Campion, ran a blinder on his latest outing at Doncaster to be narrowly beaten by Smarty Socks. He is fancied to go one better in the totesport Handicap.
Also worth noting at this valuable fixture are the speedy Kool Henry (4.15) and Nicola’s Dream (5.20), who carries the colours of York owner Phil Smith and who has finished second in two of her three starts this term.
Whatever Tim Easterby’s fate with Deauville Flyer, the Great Habton trainer should be among the winners at Doncaster’s evening meeting.
He has good prospects with recent Hamilton winner Grissom (6.40), the speedy Captain Kolo (7.10) and Fibs And Flannel (8.15), who looks to be back to form for his owner, Channel 4 racing pundit Jim McGrath.
Racing selections
Newcastle
2.00 Regal Parade, 2.30 Klynch, 3.05 Deauville Flyer (NAP), 3.40 Webbow, 4.15 Kool Henry, 4.45 Doctor Zhivago, 5.20 Nicola’s Dream.
Doncaster
6.10 Catchy Tune, 6.40 Grissom, 7.10 Captain Kolo, 7.45 Stella Point, 8.15 Fibs And Flannel, 8.50 Evening Dress.
Tomorrow’s other meetings: Chester, Lingfield, Newmarket and Windsor.
Today’s meetings: Chester, Doncaster, Folkestone, Market Rasen Newcastle and Newmarket.
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